Volume 31 | July 2026

The Bid & IOC Liaison Committee is pleased to announce the official release of the “Zero Draft” for the 12th International Orthodontic Congress (IOC) Bid Guidelines, scheduled for 2035. Developed in collaboration with the Secretary-General and AAO legal experts, this document establishes a robust roadmap for potential global hosts while safeguarding the WFO’s academic and financial interests.

Key Pillars of the 2035 Framework:

• Timeline: Following formal Executive Committee adoption, the official call is live. The firm deadline for bid submissions is set for March 31, 2027.
• Financial Sustainability: To secure future membership benefits, the minimum franchise fee has been updated to $500,000 USD, secured via U.S. banks. A tiered revenue-sharing model has been introduced, though the host affiliate society retains full responsibility for any financial losses.
• Strengthened Governance: To ensure organizational and academic excellence, two new oversight bodies have been established—the Scientific Council and the IOC Events Council. Both will be chaired by the WFO President to maintain ultimate authority over program scope and social standards.

The committee looks forward to reviewing competitive bids that celebrate global orthodontic advancement!

As the World Federation of Orthodontists approaches the 30th anniversary of its founding in 1995, we invite all eligible WFO Fellows and Affiliate Organizations to take part in the WFO Logo Competition and help shape the next chapter of our visual identity.

This initiative offers a unique opportunity to refresh the WFO logo while honoring the Federation’s heritage and reflecting its modern global mission. The new logo should embody the values of the WFO: excellence in specialist orthodontic care, education, research, professional standards, international collaboration, and patient-centered treatment.

Submissions are open to WFO Fellows and Affiliate Organizations in good standing. Participants may collaborate with professional graphic designers, provided the entry is submitted on behalf of an eligible Fellow or Affiliate Organization.

Designs should be professional, timeless, globally representative, and adaptable across both digital and print platforms. The traditional WFO colors—gold and burgundy—should remain a central element of the visual identity.

Entries must include the required logo files, color specifications, logo variations, typography details, and a brief concept summary explaining the symbolism and inspiration behind the design.

The submission deadline is February 1, 2027. All entries should be emailed to wfo@wfo.org with the subject line: WFO Logo Competition – [Fellow Name / Affiliate Organization].

The winning logo will be officially announced and recognized during the WFO Presidents’ Breakfast in Vancouver in 2027.

For questions or clarifications, please contact wfo@wfo.org or Daniela Garbo (dgarbo@wfo.org).

The orthodontic community mourns the passing of Dr. Rolf “Buzz” Behrents, who died on April 24, 2026. His loss is deeply felt across the international orthodontic family.

Dr. Behrents was a distinguished educator, researcher, and leader whose career profoundly shaped modern orthodontics. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO) from 2014 to 2025 and led the creation of the AJO-DO Clinical Companion, launched in 2021. He also served on the AAO Board of Trustees in conjunction with his editorial role.

Author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, particularly in the field of facial growth, Dr. Behrents trained over 400 orthodontic residents, many of whom went on to become educators and academic leaders worldwide. He held prominent academic appointments at Saint Louis University and previously at the University of Tennessee, Baylor College of Dentistry, and Case Western Reserve University.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was named the 2026 recipient of the AAO Lifetime Achievement Award in Orthodontic Research.

In his memory, the family has requested that contributions be made to the Moyers Symposium and the Graduate Orthodontic Residents Program (GORP), both supported through University of Michigan Giving, reflecting his lifelong commitment to education and academic excellence.

The WFO extends its deepest condolences to his wife Eileen, his children, and his family, and joins the global community in honoring his enduring legacy.

From May 15-17, 2026, WFO President Dr. Letizia Perillo participated in the 2nd International Orthodontic Congress organized by the Leo Club Balkans, where she had the honor of conveying greetings on behalf of the World Federation of Orthodontists.

The congress, themed “Modern Orthodontics,” brought together orthodontic professionals, academics, and students to discuss innovation, emerging technologies, and the future of orthodontic care. The event provided an excellent platform for scientific exchange and professional networking throughout the Balkan region.

The meeting featured an outstanding international faculty. Italian orthodontic excellence was represented by Drs. Andrea Alberti, Arturo Fortini, Fabio Giuntoli, and Giuseppe Perinetti, who shared their expertise and clinical experience with participants.

Dr. Perillo joined this distinguished panel of speakers and expressed her appreciation to Mr. Edmond Mema, Founder of the Aesthetic Dental Leader Academy, and to the organizing committee for their invitation and warm hospitality.

The congress also provided an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and friends, including Prof. Celjana Toti, President of the Albanian WFO Affiliated Society; Prof. Xhina Mulo, Chair of the Postgraduate Orthodontic Program (PGOP) at the public “Mother Teresa” University; Prof. Adem Alushi and Prof. Adela Alushi, respectively President and Chair of the private PGOP at Aldent University; Prof. Erda Qorri, President and Chair of the private PGOP at Albanian University; and Drs. Gency Qilerxhiu and Migjen Demjaha, Past Presidents of the Kosovo WFO Affiliated Society.

More than a scientific congress, the event served as a valuable forum for strengthening international collaboration, sharing knowledge, and fostering professional relationships among orthodontists committed to advancing excellence in patient care, education, and research.

On May 15, orthodontists, patients, and affiliated organizations around the world joined together to celebrate World Orthodontic Health Day (WOHD) 2026. Organized annually by the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO), this global initiative highlights the importance of orthodontic health and the positive impact of specialist orthodontic care on people’s lives.

This year’s theme, Beyond Straight Teeth, emphasized that orthodontics is about much more than achieving an attractive smile. Orthodontic care can influence how people chew, breathe, speak, and smile, while also contributing to oral health, self-confidence, and overall well-being. The campaign encouraged orthodontists worldwide to educate their communities about the broader benefits of orthodontic treatment and to promote evidence-based information regarding orthodontic health.

WFO affiliate organizations, universities, clinics, and practitioners celebrated the day through educational activities, social media campaigns, community outreach initiatives, patient engagement programs, and public awareness efforts. Together, these activities reinforced the WFO’s mission of advancing excellence in orthodontics and improving oral health worldwide.

The WFO sincerely thanks all participating organizations and individuals whose enthusiasm and commitment made WOHD 2026 a truly global celebration of orthodontic health.